H—3o

Subsequently, in order to compensate dairy companies for the increased wages cost incurred by them under the provisions of the New Zealand Dairy-factory Employees' award which came into force during the season, an additional costs allowance was granted by the Government. This allowance was paid on all butter and cheese manufactured during the 1946-47 season, and was at the rate of 0-05 d. per pound of butterfat made into butter and O2od. per pound of butterfat made into cheese. GUARANTEED PRICES, 1947-48 SEASON For convenience of reference the following arrangements for the 1947-48 season, settled before publication of this report, are recorded. The fixing of the guaranteed prices for the 1947-48 season became the function of the Dairy Products Marketing Commission, and it decided to depart from the practice followed in the 1943-44 season and up to and including the 1946-47 season and combine the farm-costs allowances and production subsidies in the guaranteed price. The following statement was made by the Chairman of the Commission on 30th September, 1947 : Prices fob Butter and Cheese The New Zealand Dairy Products Marketing Commission has determined, under section 36 of the Dairy Products Marketing Commission Act, 1947, that by way of an increase in the farm-labour allowance an additional payment shall be made of l-716d. per pound on all butterfat in cream or miik supplied for butter and cheese manufacture from Ist November, 1946, to 31st July, 1947, making the total guaranteed price with allowances 23-391 d. per pound butterfat for that period. This will increse the farm-labour reward for each adult male unit of labour by 16s. 6d. per week, this amount being equal to 15 per cent, of the existing dairy-farm-worker's wage of £5 10s. per week ; it is being allowed specifically in respect of the fact that work has to be done regularly on dairy-farms at week-ends and on holidays, thereby applying to the dairy industry the general principle embodied in extension of the benefits of the forty-hour week, as now enjoyed by other sections of the community. Payment of the retrospective increase will be made by the Commission to dairy companies in the course of the next few days on returns already submitted. The Commission, having had regard to the provisions of section 16 of the Dairy Products Marketing Commission Act, has fixed the prices to be paid in respect of butter and cheese acquired by it and manufactured in New Zealand from the Ist August, 1947, to the 31st July, 1948, as follows : Ptirchase-prices Creamery butter — Pence per Finest Grade— Pound. 94 points and over .. .. .. .. .. 23 • 977 93 to 93£ points .. .. .. .. .. 23-852 (basic price.) First Grade—--92 to 92J points .. .. .. .. .. 23-7895 90 to 9lf points .. .. .. .. .. 23-602 Second Grade .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 • 102 Whey butter— First Grade .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 • 852 Second Grade .. .. • .. .. .. 22-352 Cheese — Finest Grade—--94 points and over .. .. .. .. .. 13-21825 93 to 93J points .. .. .. .. .. 13-187 First Grade—--92 to 92£ points .. .. .. .. .. 13-062 (basic price.) 91 to 91l points .. .. .. .. .. 12-9995 Second Grade .. .. .. .. .. .. 12-812

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